Jerome Joseph Emmer, 79, was born into Eternal Life Sept. 13, 2010, of complications related to pulmonary hypertension.

He was a devoted family man and beloved husband of the late Caroline (nee Weninger) and sweetheart to Valencia Purucker for the past 27 years. Loving father of Debra (special friend, Mark) Emmer, James (Mary Beth) Emmer and Margaret (Doug) Stoffel. Dearest grandpa of Jennifer, Natalie, Cody, Laura, DJ, Kirk and Kara. Fond brother of Shirley (Roman) Stoffel and the late Melvin (Betty) Emmer. Further survived by many other relatives and friends.

Jerome was born on Jan. 26, 1931, in the town of Allenton. He grew up on the dairy farm he purchased from his parents, Joseph and Gertrude, in 1957, and actively farmed until his retirement in 1996. Jerome innovated in the farming industry, practicing erosion control grass waterways including contour strip farming, and he also become one of the first area farmers to have a stand-alone outside silo and auger feeding system, as well as a barn cleaner system. In the mid 1960s, Jerome earned the Wisconsin Outstanding Farmers Award for his impressive efforts and in 2008, he received the honorable Century Farm Award from the Wisconsin State Fair.

Jerome loved working with farm animals and raising bountiful crops. On several occasions, he expressed his amazement at this year’s corn crop producing two large cobs per stalk from the excellent growing season.

Jerome always enjoyed good food and drink, reading the paper, attending his grandchildren’s activities, fishing, feeding his barn cats, playing Sheepshead and visiting with friends. He made for a wonderful cook and party host, and no one went hungry or thirsty in his presence.

With a great desire to stay socially active, Jerome was a member of the Allenton Fire Department, Senior Friends in Hartford and the West Bend Moose Lodge.

Jerome always kept a positive outlook on life and by his example, taught us all the value of hard work, integrity and self-reliance. Naming his family as his "greatest asset," Jerome will be greatly missed and never forgotten. As Jerome would say, with a twinkle of his blue eyes, and a strong-handed wave, "Make ’er good."

A Mass of Christian burial for Jerome will be at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, at Resurrection Parish, 215 Main St., Allenton, with the Revs. Joseph Dominic and Richard Stoffel presiding. Visitation will be at the church only from 9 a.m. until time of Mass. Interment will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Allenton.

The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family. www.phillipfuneralhome.com.